New chapter of Single Old Man is out! (2/2 chapters)

 

 

Having Fun with Seafood Barbecue

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

For the matter threatened to turn into quarrel, the underwater scooter was “postponed”. Until I should craft two machines, Ao and Rosso pressed me with cries of “Quickly, quickly”.

Yet forgive me, I exerted myself excessively this day, and at once it is impossible.

We came up from the sea, and together with Snow-san began preparations for the barbecue.

“Snow-san, how fares it on your side?” (Gentoku)

“This makes the fiftieth skewer. How many more shall I prepare?” (Snow)

“Those fellows, especially Rosso, eat heartily… another twenty or so.” (Gentoku)

“Understood.” (Snow)

At present, Snow-san was skewering meats and seafood. How swift her movements were… indeed, as expected of one who managed a food stall.

Yuki-chan was being entertained by Rosso and the others at the water’s edge.

“…Gentoku-san. Truly, I thank you.” (Snow)

“Eh?” (Gentoku)

“Nay, only… bereft of my husband, I barely managed to raise that child, and then you extended your hand to us.” (Snow)

“…May I inquire? Zanad was the land where you dwelt with your husband, was it not? Will it be well for you to go together with Rosso and the others to the Kingdom of Edelstein?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. Though he was my husband, I was his seventh wife.” (Snow)

“…The seventh?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. Among beastmen, to take many wives is deemed an ideal, polygamy is commonplace. Yet it is not sufficient merely to gather wives recklessly. One must properly provide for them and cause them no hardship, else marriage is not recognized… My husband was a merchant, and he had twelve wives.” (Snow)

“Then, Snow-san, you were the seventh wife?” (Gentoku)

“Indeed. He proposed to me, and I accepted. I bore Yuki, and we lived without hardship or even much conversation… yet he passed swiftly from illness. His trading house was seized at once by his kin, and we wives were all cast out.” (Snow)

“…That is cruel indeed.” (Gentoku)

“Yes. Unlike the other wives, I was unskilled in worldly dealings… I could not find another husband, and so, with Yuki in my arms, I purchased a food stall with the little money left, and lived from hand to mouth.” (Snow)

And there, I appeared upon the scene.

Snow-san smiled gently.

“Never would I have dreamed of being exclusively employed by the famed Scarlet Camellia.’” (Snow)

“Hahaha. With those fellows, you shall have no hardship. As you see, they are kind souls.” (Gentoku)

Rosso and the others were playing with Yuki-chan. All of them laughed. It was pure happiness.

“Gentoku-san, and yourself… do you have a wife?” (Snow)

“Ah… no, I have no interest in such matters. I prefer a life doing what I please alone. I have never thought of taking a wife or lover, nor felt it necessary.” (Gentoku)

…As I said it, I wondered if the words were too blunt. Snow-san looked blank for a moment, then gave a small chuckle.

“How strange. In truth… though I was glad to have Yuki, life with my husband was torment.” (Snow)

“Hahaha. Then perhaps we are of like mind.” (Gentoku)

“Perhaps so. Fufu.” (Snow)

Somehow, Snow-san gave the feeling of “a neighbor lady with a child, living in the apartment next door”. Not a relation that would turn romantic, yet one that carried a gentle air. Though indeed, she was beautiful and well-endowed, she did not stir my heart in that way. Though younger than I, she conveyed a mysterious “motherly” presence.

“Nyaa~” (Yuki)

“Hm? Hahaha, are you giving me a shell?” (Gentoku)

At my feet, Yuki-chan had arrived, offering a seashell. It pleased me. I stroked her head, and rubbed her cat-ears.

These ears, these ears!

When I finished, Yuki-chan clung to Snow-san.

“Okaa-san.” (Yuki)

“Yes, yes. Ah, Gentoku-san, I have just finished.” (Snow)

Even as she spoke, Snow-san had completed the skewers.

Now then, let us begin roasting.

 

—

 

When I poured mana into the magical barbecue stove, heat issued forth from the magic stone. The gridiron grew searing hot, and I lined up ten skewers at once. Meanwhile, Snow-san prepared drinks. Just then, the three maidens returned.

“Mmm, what a smell~!! Oji-san, I want to eat now!!” (Rosso)

“Hahaha, wait, wait.” (Gentoku)

“…Gulp.” (Ao)

“Ao, that is unseemly.” (Blanche)

The seafood skewers were nicely grilled. I poured chilled ale into a glass. The three maidens received fruit water; Snow-san too held a glass of ale. I raised my voice.

“Then, let us make a toast. Cheers!!” (Gentoku)

“““Cheers!!””” (Rosso, Ao, Blanche)

“Fufu, cheers.” (Snow)

“Unyaa—” (Yuki)

I drank the chilled ale in one draught.

Ah, how it stung!

“Delicious!! Ppuaaah!!” (Gentoku)

“So tasty~!! Yes, this is summer!!” (Rosso)

Clinking my glass against Rosso’s, I placed the skewers upon plates and set them on the table.

“Here, they are ready!! Eat your fill!!” (Gentoku)

“Itadakimasu!! Mmm… delicious!!” (Rosso)

“The meat is exquisite.” (Ao)

“Fufu, most delicious indeed~.” (Blanche)

“Come, Snow-san, do not hold back.” (Gentoku)

“Thank you. Come, Yuki, let us eat your favorite fish.” (Snow)

“Nyau.” (Yuki)

I added more skewers, and also set oysters and shellfish like turban shells, bought in the town.

If only there were soy sauce… alas, one must endure.

Then, I placed great crab legs upon the grill.

“My, this is splendid. That they should sell not only shellfish but crab as well.” (Gentoku)

“This is a Dread Crab. It is a magical beast, you know?” (Ao)

“But it is tasty, yes?” (Gentoku)

“Indeed. Its flavor is rich and delicious!! Roast it and give me some.” (Ao)

“Aye. I too shall eat some.” (Gentoku)

I seized a seafood skewer, and bit into grilled shrimp.

“…Mmm, delicious!! The flavor is so deep… are shrimp of this otherworld truly so good?” (Gentoku)

Its taste was strong, rich juices filled my mouth.

Merely salted, yet perfect!

Biting into a meat skewer and washing it down with ale… sheer bliss.

“Haahhh… how delicious.” (Gentoku)

Nothing but happiness.

Ah, this indeed is the slow life I sought… the finest day of my life.

 

—

 

That night, we drank until late, delighting in barbecue. In our cheer we played jazz from my phone, danced together, held drinking contests, even opened a wine worth two million sedoru the bottle.

“Stay here tonight. The bath is vast! Hahaha!!” (Gentoku)

“Sounds great~!! Ufufu, Oji-san, shall we bathe together? Shall I scrub your back? Ahahaha!!” (Rosso)

“Rosso, you are far too drunk… hic.” (Blanche)

“…Blanche as well is drunk. Snow-san?” (Ao)

“I have never been drunk from drink, but… oh my.” (Snow)

“Funya…” (Yuki)

Yuki-chan had fallen asleep. Snow-san excused herself, saying, “Forgive me, Yuki has slept”, and went to a guest chamber above. Rosso collapsed upon the table, and Blanche bore her upon her shoulder and carried her away.

I drank water and sat gazing at the starry sky.

“Ahh… what a fine night.” (Gentoku)

“So, it is.” (Ao)

“Hm? Oh, Ao, you are still here?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. Oji-san, you must properly make the underwater scooter.” (Ao)

“Aye, leave it to me.” (Gentoku)

I mused on whether I might even craft a jet-ski.

Could I do it with the materials at hand?

“Say, Ao… have you ever seen such a magical tool as an underwater scooter?” (Gentoku)

“Never. Swimming in the sea I know, but swimming by magic tool, never seen.” (Ao)

“I see… Think such a thing would sell?” (Gentoku)

“It would sell. This is a resort, with many rich folk. It would sell. In fact, I would buy.” (Ao)

“Hahaha… ahh, if only the Alexandrite Trading Company had a branch in Zanad. Think if I brought it to some great firm, would it sell?” (Gentoku)

“It would sell. Oji-san, will you work?” (Ao)

“Ahh… what shall I do…” (Gentoku)

“My, did I hear aright? To bring it to a trading house other than the Alexandrite Company?” (???)

“Nay, I thought so, but now is vacation, and troublesome… hm?” (Gentoku)

At that moment, I heard a familiar voice. Ao pointed with her finger. I looked, and there she was.

“S-sa-sa… Sandrone… wh-why!?” (Gentoku)

There stood Sandrone, president of the Alexandrite Trading Company, clad in a pale green one-piece and straw hat. Beside her was Richter, the guard.

Sandrone lifted her hat with a smile as ever and spoke.

“To establish a branch of the Alexandrite Company in Zanad, of course. Fufu, I already scent the fragrance of business. An underwater scooter, was it? Will you not tell me more?” (Sandrone)

My vacation… is only just beginning!!

 

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